Dinner was served at sundown, as per normal as far as Haruko knew. At least since she and her companions had arrived at the inn, Tuli had made a large meal for the group, usually with the help of Masina and Hang. Tonight, Ahsa had stayed for the meal. Haruko had noticed that the older firebender typically stopped by the inn daily to practice firebending with Tala, but only ever interacted with her fellow firebender and rarely stayed long after. Haruko suspected the reason she was staying had something to do with what happened in the market.

Still preoccupied by her worries, Haruko tried to focus on her food. Tuli and the others had prepared a sour, savory stew Tuli had referred to as sinigang. Haruko had never heard of it, let alone tried it before, but it was good. It was different from what she was used to, but it was good.

The table stayed silent as everybody ate, which was strange. During the time they had spent at the inn, Haruko had gotten accustomed to mealtimes being vivant and conversational. Tala’s boisterous personality usually sparked conversations and fanned the fire, but tonight they were quiet. They barely even ate, they just picked at their food.

Tala was by far the most on-edge of anyone at the table. Their grandmother, cousin and firebending instructor all ate their food calmly and quietly, maintaining composition. Tuli and Masina seemed to be making quiet conversation amongst themselves, though Haruko hadn’t a clue what they could be talking about. Hang and Aazir also seemed generally relaxed, though Aazir was visibly uncomfortable sitting next to Tala. Koto shared a bit of Tala’s ill temperament, though to a lesser extent. Haruko couldn’t tell if she was genuinely calmer or if she was just better at hiding it.

Eventually, the silence became too much to bear.

“Aagh, I can’t stand it!” Tala slammed their fist onto the table, eliciting an annoyed reaction from their grandmother.

“What can’t you stand, Tala?” Ahsa asked calmly, taking a sip of water.

“I’m sick of just sitting around and….” Tala gestured around themself. “Doing nothing! I hate this!”

“What are you going to do?” Ahsa replied. Haruko looked between her and Tala, and then at the others seated at the table. Only Hang, Aazir and Koto seemed as shocked as she did.

“I don’t know!” Tala shouted, hitting the table again and rattling every bowl and cup on it.

Tuli stood up. “If you two are going to plan something illegal,” She ordered, a fierceness in her voice Haruko hadn’t heard before, “You have to do it somewhere other than my dinner table.”

Ahsa and Tala exchanged a nod and left the table simultaneously. After glancing at Hang, Koto and Aazir to make sure they were all on the same page about the matter, Haruko left to follow them.

Tala and Ahsa left the table to a part of the inn Haruko hadn’t seen before, a room labeled ‘storage’ to the right of the kitchen. Neither of them spoke a word as they walked, or even acknowledged the presence of the others, but had a set determination.

The alleged storage room was dark, with only two lanterns illuminating the space, one overhead and one on the large table that took up most of the small room. The electric lamps bathed the entire area in an eerie yellow light. Taking up most of the space on the table was a large, hand drawn map- Haruko recognized it as the region around Aringeru. A structure on the hill had been circled repeatedly and labeled as ‘Factory’.

The two firebenders remained silent as everybody shuffled into the room and around the table. Haruko took note of her companions' stoic faces, the light from the lanterns casting long shadows across each of their faces.

“I’ve already told you about the factory.” Tala explained, tapping the map. “Ahsa and I… we both agree that it’s high time we do something about it. We’re going to perform a stealth operation and figure out what’s happening.”

“And this concerns us… how?” Koto asked.

“You’re the one who followed us, airgirl.” Ahsa replied smugly.

“-and your skills will be useful.” Tala added. “Airbending, from what I know, is useful in stealth situations. Is that correct?”

Koto couldn’t object.

“As for you,” Tala continued, turning to Hang. “I’m sorry, but I can’t condone you coming along so soon after injury. It’s just not safe”

Hang nodded. “That’s alright.”

“I’ll stay here too.” Aazir added. “In case anything happens.”

Haruko wondered why Aazir seemed so ready to stay behind after he had been so ready to act only a few days ago, when Cloud had been stolen. She was so caught up in watching her brother that she didn’t notice everyone else watching her. She was the only one left undecided.

“I- uh. I don’t know.” Haruko stammered. “I’m not very useful in stealth situations, earthbending isn’t-”

“And I’m not certain on this either!” Koto interrupted. “Just because we’re here doesn’t mean we’re going to help you on dangerous stealth operations!”

“And you’re just going to sit around and not do anything while they’re destroying people’s lives?” Tala shouted, slamming their hand down on the map. They turned to Haruko, a newfound softness in their eyes, in their voice. “Please. You’ve seen what they do to people. You know what we have to do.”

Haruko was going to refuse, but hesitated. Tala was right, she knew what UDES troops were like, even if it had been forever since she had seen them in person. She knew, firsthand, what would happen to the people of the coral isles because it had happened to her. “I’ll help in any way I can.” She stated.

Koto gave her a worried glance, then turned back to Tala and Ahsa. “I’ll help you too. I made a promise to Haruko that I’d protect her, and that means following her into battle.” The airbender’s voice wavered as she said the last few words.

Tala nodded. “Alright. Let’s go.”